One of the best and handiest tools in the power user's toolbox is GParted. I've written about it before, and the short version is this: GParted is an open source Linux app for modifying your hard drive's partitions without losing any data. It has support for a huge number of file systems, including those belonging to Windows, and though it's not as easy to use as some commercial solutions, it has the distinct advantage of being totally free. If you want a hand getting up and running with GParted, Ihighly recommend Modify Your Partitions With GParted Without Losing Data, a new article over at HowtoForge. It runs you through the whole process of using the fantastic GParted LiveCD to shuffle around your partitions to your heart's content.A bit of a warning, though: Repartitioning is an inherently risky activity, and messing with existing partitions without first making a backup could, as the kids say, end in tears. Always backup.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
1-22-2007 @ 1:32PM
Bryan said...
Glad to see I'm not the only one reading the headlines of a popular user submitted news site today. Regardless of your muse; I completely agree with you. This is a quality program. I use it a lot more than I ever thought I would. It looks like they have a newer version than my last download.
If you don't plan on deleting the partition. Be sure and back up anything important, and Defragment the drive first.
I am enjoying all of the linux love. I downloaded my first Linux distribution because of Download Squad, and have been loving it, and several others ever since.
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1-22-2007 @ 1:51PM
Peter said...
GParted is a fabulous tool. As you point out, partitioning a disk with data is inherently risky, so backup early and often. I've used it many times without any problems.
I've used Partition Magic and it's a great tool too, but it works best when you install it on the machine first. GParted is great for when you need to do a quick partition of a machine you don't want to install something on for a one-time task.
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2-12-2007 @ 10:52AM
fabio said...
just tested on a server with RAID1 (1st partion) and RAID5 (other one), Windows 2003 installed on the first partition.
Resized successfully the Windows partition.
Great!
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